Automatic sheet feeder with retractable sheet supporting structure

ABSTRACT

An automatic sheet feeder includes a body, a sheet-feeding mechanism and a sheet supporting structure. The body has a sheet passageway which has an input end and an output end. The sheet-feeding mechanism disposed in the body feeds a sheet from the input end into the sheet passageway and then discharges the sheet out of the output end. The sheet supporting structure, disposed at one of the input end and the output end and pivotally connected to the body, supports the sheet to be fed into the input end or the sheet to be discharged from the output end. The sheet supporting structure is rotatable relatively to the body and can be thus spread out or retracted relatively to the body.

This application claims priority of No. 097118319 filed in Taiwan R.O.C. on May 19, 2008 under 35 USC 119, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a retractable automatic sheet feeder, and more particularly to an automatic sheet feeder having a retractable sheet supporting structure.

2. Related Art

A conventional sheet-fed scanner usually has a supply tray and a discharge tray for respectively supporting documents before and after being scanned. Because the supply tray and the discharge tray are fixed to the body, the size and the cost of the sheet-fed scanner cannot be effectively reduced due to the existence of the supply tray and the discharge tray.

If the supply tray and the discharge tray are removed, the documents cannot be supported and tend to fall down to the floor or desk and thus the operation of the scanner will become very difficult.

Thus, it is an important subject of the invention to provide an automatic sheet feeder or an automatic sheet-fed scanner capable of solving the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an automatic sheet feeder having a retractable sheet supporting structure for supporting thereon a document to be processed while the automatic sheet feeder remains compact in size.

To achieve the above-identified object, the invention provides an automatic sheet feeder including a body, a sheet-feeding mechanism and a sheet supporting structure. The body has a sheet passageway, wherein the sheet passageway has an input end and an output end. The sheet-feeding mechanism disposed in the body feeds a sheet from the input end into the sheet passageway, and then discharges the sheet out of the output end. The sheet supporting structure, which is disposed at one of the input end and the output end and is pivotally connected to the body, supports the sheet to be fed into the input end or the sheet to be discharged from the output end. The sheet supporting structure is rotatable relatively to the body and can be thus spread out or retracted relatively to the body.

Therefore, the sheet supporting structure can be easily folded up or unfolded by the user in different situations. For example, when the automatic sheet feeder is in use, the sheet supporting structure can be spread out to facilitate the operation; and when the automatic sheet feeder is standby, the sheet supporting structure can be retracted to save desk space.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations respectively showing two states of an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are pictorial views respectively showing the automatic sheet feeder in FIGS. 2 and 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations respectively showing two states of an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic sheet feeder of this embodiment includes a body 10, a sheet-feeding mechanism 20 and a sheet supporting structure 30.

The body 10 has a sheet passageway 12, and the sheet passageway 12 has an input end 14 and an output end 13.

The sheet-feeding mechanism 20 disposed in the body 10 feeds a sheet D into the sheet passageway 12 from the input end 14 and then discharges the sheet D out of the output end 13. Thus, the feeding direction is indicated by the arrow.

The sheet supporting structure 30, which is disposed at either the input end 14 or the output end 13 and is pivotally connected to the body 10, supports the sheet D to be fed into the input end 14 or the sheet D to be discharged from the output end 13. In this embodiment, the sheet supporting structure 30 is disposed at the input end 14. With the guidance and the support provided by the sheet supporting structure 30, the user is able to place the sheet D at the input end 14 easily. In order to make the automatic sheet feeder occupy a smaller space when standby, stored up or packaged, the sheet supporting structure 30 of the invention is configured to be rotatable relatively to the body 10 and thus may be spread out or retracted relatively to the body 10. In this embodiment, the sheet supporting structure 30 is pivotally connected to two lateral sides of the body 10.

The sheet supporting structure 30 has a platen 31 for supporting the sheet D, wherein this platen 31 may have a smooth surface or a rough surface. When the sheet supporting structure 30 is spread out, the platen 31 of the sheet supporting structure 30 is connected to the sheet passageway 12 to form an integrated and thus complete sheet-moving path. Due to the connection, the integrated sheet-moving path may include a gap; however, the gap is small enough so that the movement of the sheet D will not be impeded.

In order to make the sheet supporting structure 30 be retractable into the body 10 and thus to effectively reduce the space occupied by the automatic sheet feeder when standby, stored up or packaged, the body 10 has a concavity 11, into which the sheet supporting structure 30 is retracted.

The sheet-feeding mechanism 20 includes a plurality of rollers 21 and a power source 22 for driving the rollers 21. In general, two rollers 21 cooperate with each other to transport the sheet D forwards. The power source 22 may be a stepping motor, a DC motor or the like. The power source 22 may be disposed inside or outside the body 10. In another example, the sheet-feeding mechanism 20 includes a conveyor belt.

The automatic sheet feeder mentioned hereinabove is usually used in conjunction with image processing modules such as scanning modules and/or printing modules. Therefore, the automatic sheet feeder may further include an image reading module 50, disposed in the body 10, for reading an image on the sheet D transported through the sheet passageway 12. The automatic sheet feeder may further include another image reading module 60 for performing a duplex scan (double-sided scan). Alternatively, the automatic sheet feeder may include a printing module 80, disposed in the body 10, for printing data on the sheet D, as shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are pictorial views respectively showing the automatic sheet feeder in FIGS. 2 and 1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the sheet supporting structure 30 is retracted into the concavity 11, a top surface 30A of the sheet supporting structure 30 and a top surface 10A of the body 10 lie at the same level of height; that is, the sheet supporting structure 30 is entirely inserted into the body 10, and the top surface 30A of the sheet supporting structure 30 is conformed to the outline of the body 10. As a result, when the sheet supporting structure 30 is retracted, the automatic sheet feeder is compact in size and has an even framework without projecting structures, wherein the projecting structures may be fragile and liable to damage during shipment. Therefore, the automatic sheet feeder can be shipped in a smaller package and thus shipped with a lower cost. Moreover, the automatic sheet feeder can occupy a smaller space when standby or stored up. In addition, the top surface 10A of the body 10 has a notch 10B so that a finger can be put into the notch 10B to open the sheet supporting structure 30.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sheet supporting structure 30 has the platen 31 which has many ribs 32 spaced from one another. In another example, the platen 31 of the sheet supporting structure 30 has many ribs 32 crossing one another. The ribs 32 can strengthen the sheet supporting structure 30. The ribs 32 can also reduce the friction force between the sheet D and the sheet supporting structure 30 so that the loading of the power source 22 can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a second embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the automatic sheet feeder of this embodiment further includes a second sheet supporting structure 40, which is disposed at the output end 13 and pivotally connected to the body 10, for supporting the sheet D discharged from the output end 13. Similarly, the second sheet supporting structure 40 is rotatable relatively to the body 10 and can be thus spread out or retracted relatively to the body 10.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing an automatic sheet feeder with a retractable sheet supporting structure according to a third embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the automatic sheet feeder further includes a discharge tray 70, which is mounted on the body 10 and disposed at the output end 13, for supporting the sheet D discharged out of the output end 13. The discharge tray 70 is retractable into a discharge tray accommodating portion 15 of the body 10. It is to be noted that the discharge tray 70 and the second sheet supporting structure 40 may coexist and cooperate with each other to jointly support the sheet D. Alternatively, one of the discharge tray 70 and the second sheet supporting structure 40 may be disposed alone to support the sheet D.

According to the embodiments of the invention, the automatic sheet feeder provides not only the document feeding function, but, with the retractable sheet supporting structure, offers to support thereon the document to be processed and having been processed, while remaining compact in size. The retractable sheet supporting structure can support and position the sheet manually fed by the user, and can guide the sheet into the sheet passageway. The retractable discharge tray can receive the sheet discharged from the sheet passageway. Thus, the user can operate the automatic sheet feeder more efficiently and effectively.

While the invention has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications. 

1. An automatic sheet feeder, comprising: a body having a sheet passageway, wherein the sheet passageway has an input end and an output end; a sheet-feeding mechanism, disposed in the body, for feeding a sheet from the input end into the sheet passageway and then discharging the sheet out of the output end; and a sheet supporting structure, disposed at one of the input end and the output end and pivotally connected to the body, for supporting the sheet to be fed into the input end or the sheet to be discharged from the output end, wherein the sheet supporting structure is rotatable relatively to the body so that the sheet supporting structure can be spread out or retracted relatively to the body.
 2. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure is pivotally connected to two lateral sides of the body.
 3. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure has a platen for supporting the sheet, and the platen of the sheet supporting structure is connected to the sheet passageway when the sheet supporting structure is spread out.
 4. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the body has a concavity, and the sheet supporting structure is retracted into the concavity.
 5. The feeder according to claim 4, wherein when the sheet supporting structure is retracted into the concavity, a top surface of the sheet supporting structure and a top surface of the body lie at the same level of height.
 6. The feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a power source, wherein the sheet-feeding mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers and the power source drives the rollers.
 7. The feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: an image reading module, disposed in the body, for reading an image on the sheet transported through the sheet passageway.
 8. The feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: a printing module, disposed in the body, for printing data on the sheet.
 9. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure has a platen, and the platen has a plurality of ribs spaced from one another.
 10. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure has a platen, and the platen has a plurality of ribs crossing one another.
 11. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure is disposed at the input end, and the feeder further comprises: a second sheet supporting structure, disposed at the output end and pivotally connected to the body, for supporting the sheet discharged from the output end, wherein the second sheet supporting structure is rotatable relatively to the body so that the second sheet supporting structure can be spread out or retracted relatively to the body.
 12. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supporting structure is disposed at the input end, the body further comprises a discharge tray accommodating portion, and the feeder further comprises: a discharge tray, mounted on the body, for supporting the sheet to be discharged out of the output end, wherein the discharge tray is retractable into the discharge tray accommodating portion. 